A repository of Mindanao arts in the making

The vision is a museum of Mindanao arts, a permanent venue to tell the story about arts and artists. But that will take a lot of money to build, and so we are building with what can be had now.

Tucked in a 1.3-hectare property off the well-trodden paths in Baguio District, Davao City, the makings of the museum is now taking shape as Mindanao artist Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” Ponce Millan is building the main structure that will soon serve as his studio, gallery and ampitheater for performances and workshops. It features the three species that has become the icons for Davao City: Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) orchid, the Durian fruit, and the Philippine Eagle.

It will also become the sanctuary of friends as they pursue the works they have started in not just popularizing but deepening the understanding of Mindanao arts.

Guests enter the main lobby through the arches of the leaves of the Waling-waling. The wings: the durian and the eagle will become workshop nooks.

As the foundations and centerpiece for a dream is being constructed, we work to bring artists together to a place conducive for creating and perfecting one’s arts in a spirit of joy, discovery, and camaraderie. Whether they come along, however, depends on them. It’s a free world.

One thing is sure: there will be a lot of selfie areas here and it will be open to the public. In the meantime, Kublai builds while we gather our thoughts together.

Just wait, soon you will have the opportunity to have your own selfies on artworks that are beyond your imagination. In the meantime, I get first dibs. Yey!